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Seizures in dogs

My dog had two seizures last night/early this morning. She's had 4 in the last month but none before that. It scares the crap out of me and my kids are totally freaked out. My vet says there's nothing they can do. Has anyone else dealt with this?

Re: Seizures in dogs

Originally Posted by 1100011CS

My dog had two seizures last night/early this morning. She's had 4 in the last month but none before that. It scares the crap out of me and my kids are totally freaked out. My vet says there's nothing they can do. Has anyone else dealt with this?

Our dog also has seizures. She has pills that we give her twice a day from the vet to help prevent them. The pills definitely help a lot, but doesn't totally prevent them.

Re: Seizures in dogs

I had a miniature collie that had seizures. The vet said it was common in kennels with too much inbreeding. He was also constantly thirsty (would drink a five gallon bucket if you put it in front of him)

It started on a night of a huge ice storm where branches were falling all around the house. Not sure if he was traumatized by that or what. After that, it usually happened at night when he had been sleeping.

He would lose control of his bowels and flop around in it. Was pretty terrible to watch, and all you could do was hold him until it was over. He didn't seem to be all there after a while, especially right after a seizure.

Re: Seizures in dogs

I went trough this not that long ago (in fact I made a post about it here)

Since the first weekend with seizures she has been on phenobarbital twice a day and has not had a seizure in 2 years or so now. The vet also gave me a prescription of doggy volume to give to the dog in the event of another seizure.

The vet has been checking blood levels twice a year since, and we have upped the dosage once in the last couple years. Medication for my 80 lbs dog is about 10-15 a month.

Re: Seizures in dogs

If she has had four in the past month, she needs to be on medication. Phenobarbital is the drug most veterinarians will start with to try and gain control of the seizures. The meds won't completely eliminate the seizures, some dogs will still have 3-4 seizures per year but they are usually less severe. If your vet says there is nothing he/she can do, then you need to go see a different vet. Seizures are scary but the majority of the time they can be controlled.

Re: Seizures in dogs

I have a pug who has had seizures. He went through a phase where he had several in a short period of time when he was about 5 but then they stopped on their own. Now he only has one occasionally - I think he's had one in the last year.

Re: Seizures in dogs

Side note for other people with this problem, Since the first 2 days my dog has not had any seizures at all. My vet does not recommend taking my dog off the medication ever. I was just wondering what if the cause of the seizures were environmental and not something she needs to be on all the time. It is not much in the grand scheme but it would be nice if I could get to the point that I am not paying $500 year for medication and testings for something that has not happened in over 2 years now.

Re: Seizures in dogs

Originally Posted by isudoc03

If she has had four in the past month, she needs to be on medication. Phenobarbital is the drug most veterinarians will start with to try and gain control of the seizures. The meds won't completely eliminate the seizures, some dogs will still have 3-4 seizures per year but they are usually less severe. If your vet says there is nothing he/she can do, then you need to go see a different vet. Seizures are scary but the majority of the time they can be controlled.

To be fair, it was after the first one that the vet said he couldn't do anything. We have an appointment today and they're going to do blood work. But, he could at least have mentioned the medicine if it got worse. Anyway, thanks. Hopefully they'll figure something out today.

Re: Seizures in dogs

One of mine had seizures about once a month - typically triggered when someone came home or rang the door bell - she just got really excited. She has been on potasimbromide (sp?) for two years - liquid medicine i put in her breakfast. I haven't had any more seizures for the past 2 years. The cost is about what Cytech said $10/month (well worth it, because they are scary).

Re: Seizures in dogs

Originally Posted by cytech

I went trough this not that long ago (in fact I made a post about it here)

Since the first weekend with seizures she has been on phenobarbital twice a day and has not had a seizure in 2 years or so now. The vet also gave me a prescription of doggy volume to give to the dog in the event of another seizure.

The vet has been checking blood levels twice a year since, and we have upped the dosage once in the last couple years. Medication for my 80 lbs dog is about 10-15 a month.

Sorry, I usually search before posting. Did you mean Valium? Is that for before/during or after? I'm wondering if we gave her something like that during storms if it would help.

Re: Seizures in dogs

Originally Posted by isudoc03

If she has had four in the past month, she needs to be on medication. Phenobarbital is the drug most veterinarians will start with to try and gain control of the seizures. The meds won't completely eliminate the seizures, some dogs will still have 3-4 seizures per year but they are usually less severe. If your vet says there is nothing he/she can do, then you need to go see a different vet. Seizures are scary but the majority of the time they can be controlled.

Also, she is very confused and unstable when she finally comes out of it. The first time she actually growled at me and started running away from me toward my kids. That was really scary. Is there anything we should do during or directly after the seizures?

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